IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY TEACHER IN HEAVEN

Teachers have always been known to be role models and inspirational mentors who leave behind permanent footprints in the sands of time in the lives of their students.

 I remember Prof Ushakanta Nanda Sir, whom we fondly called Nanda Sir, as the charismatic personality with that charming smile, quite unlike the image of a bespectacled old professor. It was our first year in Regional Institute of Education, in the department of Zoology, where we came across him, soft spoken, candid, friendly and very fascinating. The ice broke in the very first few classes, and we, were made to feel absolutely comfortable. Whether it was Non Chordata, Developmental Biology, Bio Chemistry or Pisciculture, he was self explanatory in his classes. We would eagerly await his lectures, as he managed to keep the class enlightened even in the hot dreary afternoons. It was his majestic smile which attracted us the most, and as he became the Head of the Department, we were elated as we had a friendly teacher to understand us, and enact accordingly. We didn’t realize how our four years of Integrated course passed and it was time to leave college. How we regretted leaving Sir and his interesting classes.

As we all parted and drifted away with time, Sir went on to take Principalship.  I can never forget the BioChemistry lectures….and years later when I was getting married, I was met with a surprise when among the guests from my husband’s side, I found Nanda Sir, who happens to be my brother in law’s first cousin. Forgetting my composure I remember jumping from the bride’s seat to greet Nanda Sir with gleaming eyes.

When I took over as Principal of a school in Bhubaneswar, on one occasion while being a part of a panel discussion about Education, on a local TV channel, I was blessed to have the opportunity to share the seat with Nanda Sir again, who inspite of his ailing health looked evergreen as usual and sounded as impressive as the first day in college.

How I missed him when I moved miles away….with fond memories of his lectures in the LT. The news of his demise shattered me and I from the bottom of my heart pray for his soul to rest in peace. He has left memories we all would cherish for a life time. A dynamic personality with immense love in his heart for his students, he will be alive in our memories for ever. May the like of him continue to mentor students…..